HS2 will release images of two of its brand new stations, marking a significant milestone for the programme, cementing the project’s commitment to the Midlands and emphasising the region’s place at the heart of Britain’s new high speed network.
The images will be released at Birmingham Library at the first of a series of public engagement events during October, which give people the opportunity to see the new designs and give feedback.
Curzon Street station in central Birmingham will be the first brand new intercity station built in Britain since 19th century, create a new landmark for the city and boost opportunities for regeneration in the city. Opening with seven high speed platforms in 2026, the new station will not only be for high speed rail passengers, it will be a brand new public space in Birmingham city centre.
It will be fully integrated into an extended tram network, as well as offering pedestrian, cycle, taxi, bus and conventional rail connections to the rest of the city and the wider West Midlands.
Interchange station will be a new major gateway station for the region, part of a new public transport interchange serving Solihull, the West Midlands, Birmingham Airport and the NEC. The station will help deliver longer term development and growth proposals for the area around the station, including new homes, business space and jobs.
HS2 is also considering a number of extra elements to the scheme put forward by the Urban Growth Company (UGC) which aim to maximise the opportunities the new HS2 Interchange Station presents as a key catalyst for growth.
WSP UK Ltd, working with Grimshaw Architects LLP is designing Curzon Street and Arup is designing Interchange station.
Chris Grayling MP, Secretary of State for Transport and Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, marked the start of works on the site of the future Curzon Street station last week. Works are well underway on 60 sites across the route from London to Birmingham, with over 7,000 jobs supported by the programme across the country on our way to 30,000 jobs at peak construction.
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands said:
“These brand new stations will be catalysts for regeneration, creating jobs and opportunities for local people and economic benefits for Birmingham and the Midlands. Curzon Street station will put Birmingham at the heart of Britain’s new high speed network and enhance the rail connectivity for the city, whilst Interchange provides a once in a life time opportunity to help drive the growth of the region.”
HS2 CEO Mark Thurston said:
“Both of these new stations will be transformational for the Midlands and will create opportunities for regeneration, growth and economic benefits for the city and region. Preparatory work for the stations is well under way, with a variety of enabling works including the construction of access roads and archaeological investigations.
“As part of our plans to deliver a ‘green corridor’ across the whole route, we’re also creating new ecological habitats, community and amenity spaces to help integrate the new line and our stations into the surrounding landscape and environment. All of this activity is already creating job opportunities not just in the region, but across the whole country.”
Sir John Peace, Midlands Engine Chairman said:
“HS2 is already a huge part of the Midlands’ success story, bringing jobs and investment with it. These pioneering new station buildings will showcase a rail revolution which has our transformed region at its core.
“HS2 will be one of the most celebrated infrastructure projects in the world when trains start rolling in to Interchange and Curzon Street in 2026, with a regenerative ripple effect that will be felt across the Midlands. I can’t wait to see the stations take shape.”
Both stations have been designed with features to make it easy and simple for passengers to navigate the stations, access the platforms and connect seamlessly to other forms of transport.
HS2 Minister Nusrat Ghani said:
“Birmingham will be at the heart of HS2, and the transformation that is already taking place shows exactly how our new high-speed railway will drive forward regeneration and economic growth across the country.
“Unveiling the station designs for Curzon Street and the Solihull Interchange is a milestone moment. These stations will be catalysts for local jobs and new homes, as well as giving passengers access to thousands more seats, more services and better journeys.
“We also want HS2 to set a new benchmark for truly inclusive travel, creating a railway that works for everyone. The task for our designers and engineers is now to take these ideas from the drawing board to reality, building iconic stations that are accessible, safe and open to all, no matter their needs.”
Commenting on the announcement, DR UK ambassador and Rail Sector Champion Stephen Brookes says:
“We welcome the comments on the process of ensuring full accessibility on HS2 at the various stations on the route. The inclusion of disabled people in planning and staff awareness training is a proven success in the transport sector, and we hope that HS2 take advantage of this. We do need to see that as well as stations, the trains are equally accessible to all disabled passengers, and that often overlooked hidden disability needs are recognised.”
Carol Stitchman, WSP Design Manager on Curzon Street said:
“As well as being a catalyst for regeneration, the new HS2 Curzon Street station will become a landmark destination, welcoming people to the heart of Birmingham. Our design recognises the station's function as a place of arrival and connection. It is the only HS2 station that welcomes you with a view of the city, where you can see the city from the train, and the train from the city.
“WSP has welcomed 16 new apprentices to the Curzon Street station project, as part of our 140-strong project team. We are committed to boosting the skills of Britain's next generation while delivering this transformative project.”
Neven Sidor, Lead Architect, Grimshaws, for Curzon Street station, said:
“HS2’s new Curzon Street station is inspired by the best station design of the past, inspired by Britain’s pioneering railway and industrial heritage reimagined for the 21st century. The elegant sleek low arch which will make the station instantly recognisable in the surrounding area and its warm coffered soffit will join the growing list of modern Birmingham icons. The West concourse will have the ambiance of a modern airport terminal with both platform and waiting areas included in the grand arched space. The East concourse has been designed to include the historic Curzon Station building as part of a revitalised New Canal Street scene.”
Kim Quazi, Lead Architect, Arup, for Interchange station said:
“Interchange station sits within a unique setting, on the edge of the urban landscape in a currently rural location. The station building has been designed to reflect its surroundings and in context with the natural landscape and topography.
“The station roof has been designed to fit in with the surrounding landscape, and to optimise natural daylight using an integrated, efficient structural form and rainwater management system. We have also focused on a number of objectives including creating a positive experience for future users and rail passengers by including open space, parkland and views to green spaces, and constructing a green building with low energy consumption and low maintenance.”
The series of engagement events for both stations will run through October. These will give people the opportunity to understand HS2’s design vision for the stations, share thoughts on the accessibility and use of the stations, and get more information on the next stages in the design process and planning submissions. More information on the events and locations can be found on HS2’s Commonplace website.
ENDS
Notes for editors
HS2 Curzon Street station
- The new Curzon Street Station will be the first intercity station built in Britain since the 19th Century. It will be sited next to the original Curzon Street station building and will be the Birmingham terminus for HS2.
- Opening with seven high speed platforms in 2026, the new station will not only be for high speed rail passengers, it will be a brand new public space and gateway into Birmingham city centre. It will be fully integrated into an extended tram network, as well as offering pedestrian, cycle, taxi, bus and conventional rail connections to the rest of the city and the wider West Midlands.
- The new high speed station will consist of seven 400m long platforms accommodating a dedicated high speed rail service.
- In the design, the aim has been to maximise the links with other forms of transport, and specific provision has been made for:
- Integration of the Midland Metro ‘Birmingham Eastside Extension’, with a stop in Albert Street, serving the Western concourse, and a stop directly underneath the station serving the Eastern concourse
- A simple and seamless connection to Moor Street Station
- Clearly signed pedestrian routes to local bus services, Sprint (a rapid transit bus service) and onwards to other train services
- Provision of safe, convenient cycle access and cycle parking
- In addition to the new station, separate plans are being progressed to redevelop the original Grade 1 listed Curzon Street Station building. The renovated building will house a visitor centre and office space that will be used by HS2 along with other organisations. Once in place, the building will serve as a community engagement hub for HS2.
- The station design is subject to approval from Birmingham City Council under Schedule 17. Two submissions are running in parallel: 1) for the station; 2) for the public realm and are due to be submitted in early 2019.
- HS2 Interchange station
- The station design is subject to approval from Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council under Schedule 17 of the High Speed Rail Act.
- The site is located within a triangle of land known as Arden Cross which is formed by the M42, A45 and A452, near the existing Birmingham International Station.
- The station and the infrastructure is designed to be easy to use and provide connectivity through:
- Provision of a new Automated People Mover system which will connect the station with Birmingham Airport, Birmingham International Station, and the National Exhibition Centre.
- Provision of safe, convenient cycle access and cycle parking,
- Organisation of the site layout to allow passengers to move intuitively.
- This includes providing clear and short routes to the station entrances.
- Provision for connectivity with public transport.
The station and its public realm have been designed to respond to any future developments in a flexible manner
The station sits within the Arden Landscape, which is characterised by water courses, ponds, trees, hedgerows and grasslands.
HS2 is considering a number of extra elements to the scheme put forward by the Urban Growth Company (UGC) which aim to maximise the opportunities the new HS2 Interchange Station presents as a key catalyst for growth. There are six additional elements to the scheme being looked at in parallel to the base scheme.
We are continuing to develop options and costs based on these outcomes. HS2 and Urban Growth Company are working collaboratively to take the outcomes through the design process and will continue to work to agree commercial terms for the construction of these outcomes.